Eminem a big winner but Cyrus sparks MTV awards controversy

Singer (20) appeared to smoke a joint on stage during Amsterdam ceremony

The former Disney star capitalised on her infamous August 'twerking'encounter with actor Robin Thicke at the U.S.-based Video Music Awards, opening the show by doing the dance with a dwarf. Cyrus also appeared to smoke a joint on stage.

Singer Miley Cyrus at the MTV Europe Music Awards at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam last night. Photograph: Remko De Waal/Reuters.

Rapper Eminem had triple cause to celebrate after he was the biggest winner at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards in Amsterdam.

But it was Miley Cyrus who sparked controversy after she appeared to light a rolled-up joint on stage.

US hip-hop star Eminem, 41, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers, triumphed with the prizes for Global Icon and Best Hip Hop act on the same day he scored his seventh consecutive number one UK album with The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

He took to the stage to perform Berzerk and Rap God - two tracks from his new album.

“This is crazy. I want to say thank you to everybody over the years,” he said to Will Ferrell’s Anchorman alter-ego Ron Burgundy as he accepted the Global Icon award.

Making a reference to the 2004 comedy, he joked: “I love award.”

Cyrus, 20, alluded to her drug-taking past by taking what looked like a joint from her handbag as she accepted the award for Best Video for her song, Wrecking Ball.

The Bangerz singer, who opened the show with a performance of We Can’t Stop accompanied by a dwarf, previously courted controversy for her “twerking” with Robin Thicke.

“I couldn’t fit this award in my purse but I did find this,” she said before flicking a lighter and smoking it.

Other big winners on the night included Katy Perry, One Direction and Justin Bieber.

“This is so cool. I was sitting backstage drinking champagne, looking at all those people, thinking I’m not going to win. I love what I do and I’m glad you see that,” she said as she received her trophy on stage.

Jared Leto and his Thirty Seconds To Mars bandmates took home the award for Best Alternative act.

“This is actually surreal because we are going to play this venue in two days. Thank you to all the dreamers... You made ours come true,” the frontman said.

We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Standards. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or by filling out this form. New comments are only accepted for 3 days from the date of publication.